Article 12. Tree Board
2.12.1. Establishment of a Tree Board.
A. There is hereby created and established a seven member Tree Board. The Board shall be comprised of residents of the City of Bel Aire, Kansas and shall be appointed by the Governing Body. The meetings shall be open to all interested individuals.
B. The term of the seven persons shall be four years except that the initial term of one of the two new members appointed to the Board pursuant to this Article shall be for only three years and the initial term of the other new member appointed to the Board pursuant to this Article shall be for only one year to concur with the staggered appointment terms of the existing five members of the Board. In the event that a vacancy shall occur during the term of any member, his or her successor shall be appointed for the unexpired portion of the term.
C. Members of the Board shall serve without compensation.
D. The Board shall prepare, administer and update a written plan for the care, preservation, pruning, planting, replanting, removal or disposition of trees and shrubs in parks and in other public areas. Such plan and any subsequent updates shall be presented to the Governing Body for approval. Said plan shall constitute the official City tree plan.
E. The Board, when requested by the Governing Body, shall consider, investigate, make findings, report and recommend upon any special matter coming within the scope of its work.
F. The Board shall choose its own officers, make its own procedural rules and provide the City clerk with copies of the minutes of its proceedings. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
G. A member shall hold office on the board until:
1. the end of his or her appointment;
2. the member resigns from the Board;
3. the member fails to attend at least 3 consecutive meetings;
4. the member moves out of the City; or
5. the Tree Board is terminated by the governing body.
H. When there is one or more vacancy on the Board, each member of the governing body may submit a recommendation for appointment to the board. The governing body will vote by ballot for the selection of the person(s) to serve on the Board. Each member of the governing body shall have one vote for each position to be filled. The person(s) that receive the highest number of votes are thereby appointed to the Board. If the votes result in a tie, additional ballots shall be taken until one or more persons receive sufficient votes to be appointed.
I. The Board may make recommendations to the City Manager regarding the trimming or removal of trees for public safety or to protect public utilities.
J. The Board may provide for training and/or information to be available regarding the planting and care of trees.
(Ord. 305)
2.12.2. Arbor day.
The Board shall annually plan, promote, and celebrate an official Arbor Day ceremony specific to the Bel Aire community. The ceremony should be of a type to encourage citizens of the community to join together to celebrate the benefits of community trees and the work accomplished to plant and maintain them. By passing and reciting an official Arbor Day proclamation, public officials demonstrate their support for the community tree program and complete the requirements for becoming and remaining a Tree City USA.
2.12.3. Review.
The City Manager shall have the right to review the conduct, acts, and decisions of the Tree Board.
(Ord. 257)